Franciscan Beacon Hospital

When Franciscan Health and Beacon Health System collaborated on a new hospital in LaPorte, Tonn and Blank Construction became the collaborative linchpin of the project, acting as the program manager and design builder, tackling the challenge of renovating and adding on to the existing Beacon Medical Group facility.

The size of the 92,500-square-foot facility, which opened in July 2020, allows patients access to high quality care on a more personal basis. It includes a 24-hour, 10-bed Emergency Department, eight inpatient beds for overnight care with nursing station, laboratory services, an on-staff pharmacist, physical therapy, telehealth connectivity and the latest imaging and diagnostic equipment.

Even as the staff and public continued to use the facility throughout construction, the project was completed successfully, experienced no incidents, finished ahead of schedule and under budget.

That work was recognized as Project of the Year award at the annual award ceremony held in partnership between the Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF) and the Northwest Indiana Business Roundtable (NWIBR).

In its unique role as the program manager and design builder for the new partnership, Tonn and Blank was responsible for taking the lead on design, owner furnished furniture and equipment, medical equipment and construction. This was done as staff and patients continued to use the facility throughout construction. Tonn and Blank practiced “Safety Beyond Compliance” to create an incident-free jobsite.

Franciscan Health Michigan City President and CEO Dean Mazzoni said, “Tonn and Blank managed, not one, but two owners through the unique structure of this joint ventured partnership. They were responsive, regularly communicating, and kept the project safe, on time and on budget despite the significant challenges of the pandemic at the time. They built an incredible health care facility for the LaPorte community and we are excited for their well-deserved recognition through this award.”

“We are appreciative of the diligence, dedication and professionalism that the Tonn and Blank team demonstrated throughout construction,” said Diane Maas, Franciscan Beacon Hospital Board Chair. “Our new hospital has given our organizations the opportunity to reach more patients in the LaPorte community, expanding their convenient access to high-quality, personal health care. Thank you, Tonn and Blank, for making this project a success.”

The acute care hospital is equipped to conduct the following diagnostic services: radiology, x-ray, CT, ultrasound, echocardiography, stress testing MRI, mammography, and dexa bone density scanning. Our in-house Program Management department focused on careful planning in selecting and implementing the technology and equipment used to support patient care offerings.